Tips From the Moving Business Pros: How to Move a Pinball Device
With pinball making a substantial resurgence across the nation, Mild Giant wishes to ensure that these timeless, lovely machines stay damage-free while being carried. Oh, and we desire individuals moving them to be safe, too.
In the beginning glimpse, pinball makers can appear intimidating to move because of their weight, fragility, and size. The good news is, our skilled Giants have a few techniques up their sleeves to guarantee your pinball is moved with ease.
Folding Down the Headbox
Most of modern pinballs (made in the last 20 years or two) have a hinge system which permits the headbox to be folded down. Early pinball makers had their headboxes bolted on, using either two or four bolts. All Electro-Mechanical pinballs utilize this system, in addition to the early Strong State machines.
Later devices have hinges and utilize a locking system to keep the headbox upright. There might also be two bolts inside as added security, in case the lock is broken or mistakenly un-latched.
Electro-Mechanical Pinballs
For Electro-Mechanical pinball machines, you have to eliminate the headbox rear gain access to panel to access to the bolts and plugs within. Generally this panel has a lock on it to keep it in place, but in time the secret might have been lost. Rather typically, there is a screw keeping this panel in place.
Once inside, eliminate the bolts and disconnect the big adapters that have circuitry going down into the machine. You may want to identify these adapters to put them back in the ideal area, but they should be different sizes, making it challenging to plug back improperly.
You can now eliminate the headbox entirely, or fold the headbox down onto the playfield glass. Make certain you utilize some foam, heavy cardboard, or blankets to protect the headbox from rubbing on the cabinet. Foam is best, as it will help keep the back glass in place.
Early Solid State Pinballs
For early Solid State Pinballs, you will have to eliminate the back glass. There is a lock situated on the headbox in among 3 areas: the left-hand side at the top, right-hand side on top or on top of the headbox in the center.
When opened, eliminate the back glass by raising it up utilizing the lift channel (at the bottom of the glass), then pull it out from the bottom.
Open up the back box lamp panel by lifting the latch located on either the left-hand side or right-hand side. The panel can now swing out towards you, and provide you access to the circuit boards, plugs, and the bolts. Some Gottlieb pinballs need you to raise the light panel in order to swing it open.
Now that you are within, you can get rid of the bolts, and any plugs that have wires decreasing into the maker. You might desire to identify these plugs to put them back in the right spot. You may not have to remove the plugs, as the wiring ought to be long enough to allow the headbox to be folded down.
At this point, you can lock up the lamp panel and replace the back glass.
Modern Solid State Pinballs
For Data East, Sega, and Stern Modern pinballs, there is a turnable latch system located at the back of the headbox. Utilizing the provided secret, turn the lock 90 ° counter-clockwise.
For Williams, Bally, and Gottlieb, you can quickly unlatch the back box at the back of the device. This is an easy setup and needs no tools.
You're done if you can now fold down the head box onto the cabinet. Make certain you utilize some foam, heavy cardboard, or blankets to secure the headbox from rubbing on the cabinet. Foam is best, as it will likewise assist keep the back glass in location.
If you can not fold the head box down, then you have to get in. There is a lock situated at the top of the back glass in the. Utilize the provided secret to unlock, and get rid of the back glass by raising it up from the bottom, then pulling it out from the bottom.
Next, you will have to get rid of the display screen panel. You can do this by raising it up and out. Open the light panel. There will be a lock situated on either the left-hand or right-hand side. (Some more recent Williams and Bally pinballs do not have a different amp panel, it belongs to the back glass panel. And later Sega and Stern pinballs use a fluorescent tube for the back glass lighting).
Remove the two bolts, put the back box back together, and fold down the head box onto the cabinet. Make sure you utilize some foam, heavy cardboard, or blankets to secure the headbox from rubbing on the cabinet. Foam is best, as it will likewise assist keep the back glass in location.
Getting rid of the Legs.
Pinball Machine legs are held in place by eight bolts. The modern pinballs have captive nuts or threaded plates inside for the bolts to screw into.
These captive nuts and threaded plates can be damaged, and the use of extra nuts may have been needed. If this holds true, you will require to open the front door of the pinball, slide out the playfield glass, and raise the playfield.
With the front door (coin door) open, move the lock down bar latch across and get rid of the lock down bar. Move out the playfield glass, and put in a safe place. Next, lift up the playfield by placing your hand where the ball drains pipes, and raise the playfield up.
You must now have access to any nuts that might have been used. Once any nuts have been gotten rid of, change the playfield glass and lock down bar, and lock the front door.
Make certain to mark or keep in mind which legs are for the front and back, as they will be adjusted differently to suit.
Filling the Pinball.
You are now all set to transfer your more info pinball device. Before you load it, make sure you get rid of the pinballs so they do not bounce around throughout transport.
If you are moving the pinball utilizing a van or SUV, it may be easier to get rid of the legs simply prior to packing the machine. Grab a good friend to assist and have one of you supporting the pinball, while the other removes the front legs.
Make sure you strap the pinball in, as you do not desire it moving if you have to stop unexpectedly!
For Electro-Mechanical pinball makers, you require to get rid of the headbox rear gain access to panel to acquire access to the bolts and plugs inside. (Some more recent Williams and Bally pinballs do not have a different amp panel, it is part of the back glass panel. And later Sega and Stern pinballs use a fluorescent tube for the back glass lighting).
If you are moving the pinball using a van or SUV, it might be simpler to eliminate the legs just prior to filling the maker. Get a buddy to have and assist one of you supporting the pinball, while the other gets rid of the front legs.